Vols value Lew Evans’ experience, versatility

Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes needed both size and seniority while looking to add a graduate transfer to his roster.

He found both in Lew Evans, a forward from Utah State who was officially announced as a Vol Wednesday night after committing on Monday.

"I'm excited because with only two other upperclassmen on our roster, Lew will bring some much-needed experience next year," Barnes said in a school release.

"He also adds a level of toughness to our frontcourt, along with a versatile skill set. His makeup is exactly what we need with this team."

Evans, the seventh member of Tennessee's 2016 signing class, has one year of eligibility remaining after starting 16 times in 30 games last season at Utah State. He averaged 8.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 21.4 minutes per game.

A Salt Lake City, Utah, native, Evans went the junior college route, attending Casper (Wyo.) College, before transferring to Tulsa and later Utah State after a coaching change at each school.

At Tulsa for the 2013-14 season, Evans started 22 times in 34 games, averaging 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds, helping his team reach the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Evans transferred to Utah State before the 2014-15 season. He visited Tennessee over the weekend after UT assistant coach Rob Lanier turned him on to the Vols.

When he got to Knoxville, he quickly found trust in Barnes and his staff.

"That's kind of why I committed," Evans said on Monday. "I trusted in Coach Barnes to get me where I want to be.

"I trust that he's going to make my final year a good one and get the best out of me and that we're going to win a lot of games. That's kind of where I was at."

The Vols needed size after sophomore forward Ray Kasongo decided to transfer. Before Evans, Tennessee had only Robert Hubbs III (senior) and Detrick Mostella (junior) as upperclassmen on the roster.